Two Jefferson City bars have been named in a civil suit asking for damages from the family of a New Haven man who was killed in a two-vehicle wreck in August 2016 in Moniteau County.
Spectators and The Mission, both located on East High Street, were named in the suit, which was filed this week in Moniteau County by James Lovelace, the father of the victim in the crash, Graden Lovelace.
According to Missouri Highway Patrol reports, Joshua F. Blankenship, now 29, of Sedalia, was driving westbound on U.S. 50, just east of the Business 50 West junction, when he crossed the center line and hit a car driven by Lovelace, 20, head on.
After impact, both cars caught fire, and Lovelace was pronounced dead at the scene.
Blankenship was taken to University Hospital with serious injuries.
According to the patrol, Lovelace was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, while Blankenship was not.
Blankenship since has been charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in connection with the crash. That case is scheduled for a hearing in December in Morgan County, where it was moved on a change of venue from Moniteau County.
Blankenship also was named in a wrongful death lawsuit, filed in February in Moniteau County by Lovelace's family. They have asked the court to approve a settlement of $100,000, but the court has yet to make a ruling.
The suit filed against the bars claims on the night of the crash, both establishments served alcohol to Blankenship who, the lawsuit claims, was already visibly intoxicated.
The suit also argues Blankenship "became visibly intoxicated and inebriated to such an extent that his impairment was shown by significantly uncoordinated physical action and/or significant physical dysfunction."
The suit goes on to state the actions at the bars to serve Blankenship showed, "a complete indifference or conscious disregard for the safety of Lovelace and others, justifying an award of punitive damages in such sum as will serve to punish the bars and deter them and other establishments from conduct like this in the future."
The suit is asking each bar pay in excess of $25,000 in punitive damages.
No hearing has been set in the case, yet.
"At this time, The Mission has not been served," The Mission owner Jenny Babcock said. "We have not read the claim nor retained an attorney. My speculation is Mr. Lovelace wants answers as any parent or loved one would. And he deserves answers. Mr. Lovelace chose to inquire through legal action, and that is where The Mission will answer questions."